Philippoussis turns to Jones for management role

THE close friendship between Mark Philippoussis and the Sydney
broadcaster Alan Jones has apparently broadened into a business
arrangement, with Jones believed to be managing the sidelined
player in the twilight of his injury-troubled career.

Philippoussis is at his base in Las Vegas, where he moved from
his previous home in Florida late last year, and is continuing to
rehabilitate from his latest knee surgery  his fourth 
under the guidance of Andre Agassi's former trainer Gil Reyes.

As his ranking slipped another five places this week to 128th,
Philippoussis is planning to return to practice within days and to
tournament play in a month  probably at Challenger level,
where he ended 2006 making a failed bid to earn direct entry to the
Australian Open.

The 30-year-old has not been represented by his former
management company IMG since the start of the year.

He was flanked by Jones, then described as his "mentor", during
the interviews that followed his lateral meniscus cartilage tear at
the Hopman Cup in early January. Successful surgery followed in
Sydney, apparently organised by Jones.

"My understanding is that Mark is now represented by Alan
Jones," IMG's Brian Cooney said. Jones is on sick leave from his
weekday program on Radio 2GB and was yesterday unavailable for
comment.

The controversial former Wallabies coach is a friend and
confidant to many of Australia's highest-profile sportsmen. He
provided sanctuary for cricketer Damien Martyn after his sudden
retirement, hosted Brett Lee's wedding and regularly entertains
Lleyton Hewitt and his family, among others, at his estate in the
NSW southern highlands.

Philippoussis is a former US Open and Wimbledon finalist who
peaked at No. 8 eight years ago and led Australia in two winning
Davis Cup finals  the second time, in 2003, paying tribute on
court to a mysterious friend later identified as Jones. He endured
three bouts of surgery on his left knee between 1999 and 2001 and
is understood to have recovered well from the fourth, on his
right.

Interestingly, while medical opinion on Philippoussis' playing
future was divided immediately after the most recent injury was
diagnosed, a sombre Jones sided with the pessimists.

"In a 15-year-old, you could repair it," he said in Perth at the
time. "In a 30-year-old, it's another story."